Mike Kirby speaks at a press conference held in Fulton Center at New Mexico State University introducing Kirby as the new head baseball coach for NMSU on Thursday, June 27, 2019.(Photo: Nathan J Fish/Sun-News)

"I've been working my whole life to be a head coach," said Kirby, who spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach at Nebraska. "My path has been unbelievable. To lead me here today, I'm right where I need to be."

A lot has changed since Kirby left coaching to take a job selling signage and luxury suites with the Anaheim Angels. At the time, it was difficult for assistant baseball coaches to make a living.

"Just think of how it was in the early 90s when they were getting paid virtually nothing," NM State athletics director Mario Moccia said. "While I think it's changed a little for the better, it's still tough. I know Mike was fielding offers from potential assistant jobs that paid significantly more than what we were paying."

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Buy Photo

Mario Moccia and Mike Kirby pose for photos at a press conference held in Fulton Center at New Mexico State University introducing Kirby as the new head baseball coach for NMSU on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Nathan J Fish/Sun-News

Mario Moccia and Mike Kirby enter the press conference held in Fulton Center at New Mexico State University introducing Kirby as the new head baseball coach for NMSU on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Nathan J Fish/Sun-News

Mario Moccia and Mike Kirby enter the press conference held in Fulton Center at New Mexico State University introducing Kirby as the new head baseball coach for NMSU on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Nathan J Fish/Sun-News

Mario Moccia speaks at a press conference held in Fulton Center at New Mexico State University introducing Mike Kirby as the new head baseball coach for NMSU on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Nathan J Fish/Sun-News

Mike Kirby speaks at a press conference held in Fulton Center at New Mexico State University introducing Kirby as the new head baseball coach for NMSU on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Nathan J Fish/Sun-News

Mike Kirby speaks at a press conference held in Fulton Center at New Mexico State University introducing Kirby as the new head baseball coach for NMSU on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Nathan J Fish/Sun-News

Mike Kirby speaks at a press conference held in Fulton Center at New Mexico State University introducing Kirby as the new head baseball coach for NMSU on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Nathan J Fish/Sun-News

Mike Kirby speaks at a press conference held in Fulton Center at New Mexico State University introducing Kirby as the new head baseball coach for NMSU on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Nathan J Fish/Sun-News

Mike Kirby speaks at a press conference held in Fulton Center at New Mexico State University introducing Kirby as the new head baseball coach for NMSU on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Nathan J Fish/Sun-News

Mike Kirby pose for photos at a press conference held in Fulton Center at New Mexico State University introducing Kirby as the new head baseball coach for NMSU on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Nathan J Fish/Sun-News

Mike Kirby and his family pose for photos at a press conference held in Fulton Center at New Mexico State University introducing Kirby as the new head baseball coach for NMSU on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Nathan J Fish/Sun-News

Mike Kirby speaks at a press conference held in Fulton Center at New Mexico State University introducing Kirby as the new head baseball coach for NMSU on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Nathan J Fish/Sun-News

Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:

Moccia said Kirby's $125,000 salary for the upcoming season was at the top end of the spectrum NM State could offer.

"He's got the maturity of an older guy and by that, I mean he has been at different places with all kinds of player situations and recruiting," Moccia said. "Yet he has that youthful exuberance of a first-time head coach."

Darin Erstad's influence on Kirby's career

Darin Erstad was a player during Kirby's tenure with the Angels, but there was no connection.

Not until Erstad reached out to Kirby during his second stint with alma mater Cal State Fullerton.

Erstad was filling his staff after getting the Nebraska job and asked Fullerton's head coach Rick Vanderhook. Kirby initially turned down Erstad's offer.

"He told me that he didn't expect that and that, 'I'm not letting you off the phone,'" Kirby said. "Fifty minutes later I went home and asked my wife if she wanted to take a look at it because he's such an unbelievable person.

"He started hitting me with things that are important to me liike family and talking about treating players right and that's what I'm all about."

Sports Editor Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459 or jgroves@lcsun-news.com. Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves.